[Harp-L] RE: Women on harp

["Hellerman, Steven" <shellerman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

FYI: Dolly Parton plays pretty good cross harp! 



Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 19:25:47 -0500
From: joe leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Women on harp
To: harri.haka@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Harp L Harp L <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <5B3165C8-7E71-406B-95E7-C31D7DE59A83@xxxxxxxxxxx>
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On Nov 20, 2010, at 8:37 PM, Harri Haka wrote:

> I have wondered, regardless of genre, why there are so few female 
> harmonica artists around. Is it because women have less breathing 
> ability than men?

Hardly, women are built to handle TWO people at a time breathing wise.
While their lungs may be smaller, they are certainly as efficient.
Listen to Michal (Adler) Groenich...of the Adler trio. She certainly can
handle harp.

> Or is it just a tradition that the ladies sing and do other 
> instruments?

Not exactly.

> I know there are talented harmonica women but they are a minority.  
> For comparison, there are many ladies who play guitar that have 
> achieved worldwide respect. But as to harmonica, not many come to 
> mind.

I think women conotate playing harmonica with hard times, sadness,
melancholia, prison, hobo jungles down by the railroad yard, alcoholism,
etc. And while some may go for that sort of thing, I don't think most
DO.

> In my opinion, it would add value to a talented vocalist's repertoire,

> if she played harp on some tunes.

We have a few of those. Elizabeth (tin lizzie) Hess is the newest
inductee.  lolol

> Needs practice, of course. But I believe that if women can jump pole 
> vault and play ice hockey, they should be able to play the harp too.
> Harri